“I did nay such thing. I’ll make whatever decision I please,” Annabeth shot back, narrowing her eyes. “I’m here to care for it, Marcus. Ye’d rather I let it suffer, then?” Her words were lacedwith sarcasm, but there was a tremor in her chest, something beneath her bravado that told her the moment was different.
Marcus’ eyes darkened, the frustration and something else simmering in them. “Ye daenae get it, do ye? I’m tryin’ to look out for ye. This fox—this bloody creature—isnae yer responsibility!” His voice was low, rough, and his breath came quicker as he advanced until there was no space left between them.
Annabeth’s breath hitched as he came closer, his presence overwhelming. “Ye daeanae control me, Marcus,” she said through clenched teeth, her chest rising and falling in the silence that stretched between them. “I’m nae one of yer men to command.” But even as she said it, her heart raced, her body betraying her words.
“Ye think ye can do whatever ye want in me castle, aye?” he murmured, his voice soft now, a dangerous tension hanging in the air. “Maybe ye need someone to remind ye of the consequences.” He took the jug from her hand and set it down. His hand brushed a lock of hair from her face, his fingers grazing her skin with an intensity that made her pulse quicken.
Before she could respond, Marcus leaned in, his lips crashing against hers in a fiery kiss. Annabeth gasped, her mind momentarily blank, but then her body responded against her will, her hands gripping his waist as she kissed him back with a force she hadn’t known she possessed. The world seemed to disappear, leaving nothing but the heat between them, a wildfire that neither of them seemed ready to extinguish.
When they finally broke apart, their breaths ragged and hearts racing, Annabeth couldn’t meet his gaze. Her mind was a swirl of confusion and desire, and she didn’t know which part of her was more powerful—the need to push him away or the longing to pull him closer. Marcus didn’t speak, both of them standing on the edge of something neither was ready to acknowledge. Then the shawl slipped off her shoulders.
She watched as Marcus’ hungry eyes looked down at her chest. She could feel that her tender nipples were protruding through the material, yet she did not feel shame. She wanted him to look.
What is wrong with me? I want him.
“Do ye ken what ye do to me?” His voice was thick with lust as his eyes devoured her. “What I want to do to ye?”
Annabeth placed her arms around Marcus’ neck, her fingers brushing the back of his hair as she pulled him closer. “I ken what ye do to me, Marcus,” she whispered, her breath warm against his lips.
Marcus paused, his lips still lingering near hers. He looked into her eyes, his voice soft but sincere. “Ye’re a beautiful lass, Annabeth,” he said, his words rich with admiration.
Annabeth smiled gently, her heart fluttering at his words. “Aye, ye ken how to flatter a woman.” Her voice was hushed and full of warmth.
He groaned with a lusty whisper and kissed her again, this time deeper, his hands resting gently on her waist. “It’s nae flattery, lass,” he murmured against her lips. “It’s the truth.”
She closed her eyes, savoring the feel of him near, the closeness between them undeniable. “I cannae seem to stay away from ye,” she whispered again, her voice breathy with a hint of vulnerability.
Marcus pulled back slightly, his expression unreadable for a moment. “Then daenae,” he said firmly, his hands now holding her gently but possessively.
Annabeth’s heart raced at his words, a shiver running down her spine. “I willnae,” she whispered, her hands tightening around his neck, her lips meeting his once more, giving him permission to do as he pleased.
She felt his strong hands move down the sides of her body with his thumbs moving over taut nipples protruding through the thin material of her chemise. Her body came alive with his touch. A man had never caressed her breasts and the feeling was exquisite.
Do I let him continue? I want more, but I ken it’s wrong. Yet, I cannae stop.
Annabeth allowed Marcus to kiss her neck, his hunger was evident. As she leaned against him, she gasped as she felt his thick staff pressing against her hip.
“Aye, ’tis nay secret, I want ye, lass,” he groaned in response to her surprise.
With those words she felt his hands slip down her hips and over her bottom as he pressed her against him, rubbing against her. Her fingers moved over his chest, feeling every inch of strength down to six pack abs that were hard as rocks. Then she felt herself lifted as he picked her up and set her on the table. His kiss grew deeper as his hands moved over her slim waist down to her thighs.
I want him. I desire him. Me body needs him.
She leaned back, placing her hands on the table as Marcus’ lips moved down her neck and over her breast. His hand plunged into the neckline of her chemise and pulled it down revealing pale skin and rosy nipple. Annabeth gasped as he mounted his mouth over her nipple and kissed and licked. Her hands moved into his hair, tugging and holding him there. The sensation thrilled her, moving through her, creating a pulsing between her thighs she was not familiar with, but it felt good.
“Oh Marcus,” she moaned as his hand massaged her breast.
“Ye drive me to madness, lass. I cannae restrain me desires,” he groaned in a lusty whisper.
“Then daenae restrain them,” she whispered.
He stopped kissing her breasts and locked eyes with her. A fierce and hungry look came over him, like a hungry wolf ready to devour a feast.
With that permission, Annabeth watched as Marcus moved lower and lower until his hands were pulling her chemise up her thighs. Her breath caught in her throat. She had never been naked in front of a man before and felt both embarrassed and excited at once. He pulled her chemise up with greedy hand lifting it to her waist.
Marcus inhaled a deep sigh as he looked at the nest of curls between her thighs “A thing of beauty, ye are.”
What happens now? I'm ashamed to be this wanton, but I cannae stop this thrill. I want him to touch me there. Will he?
